NEWEST CERTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL
AUDITOR EXAM OFFERED BY THE NATIONAL
REGISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROFESSIONALS | COMPLETE EXAM Q&A
WITH RATIONALES
1. An environmental auditor is conducting a Phase I
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for a property.
What is the primary purpose of a Phase I ESA?
A) To collect soil and groundwater samples for
laboratory analysis
B) To identify recognized environmental conditions
(RECs) through historical review, site
reconnaissance, and regulatory records
C) To remediate contaminated soil
D) To assess indoor air quality
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A Phase I ESA (ASTM E1527) identifies
RECs. Phase II involves sampling. Remediation is
Phase III.
2. A facility has a RCRA permit for hazardous waste
treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD). During an
audit, the auditor notes that the facility has not
,conducted a required waste minimization
certification. Which of the following is required for a
generator that sends waste off-site for treatment?
A) A signed certification that the generator has a
waste minimization program in place
B) A formal EPA-approved waste minimization plan
C) A zero-discharge permit
D) A toxic reduction audit
Correct answer: A
Rationale: RCRA requires large quantity generators
(LQG) and small quantity generators (SQG) to certify
that they have a waste minimization program.
3. A facility stores hazardous waste in a satellite
accumulation area (SAA). What is the maximum
amount of hazardous waste that can be stored in an
SAA without a permit?
A) 55 gallons of non-acute hazardous waste, or 1
quart of acute hazardous waste
B) 200 gallons
C) 500 gallons
D) 1,000 gallons
Correct answer: A
,Rationale: RCRA allows 55 gallons of non-acute
hazardous waste (or 1 quart of acute) in an SAA
located at or near the point of generation.
4. An auditor is reviewing a facility's air emission
permits. Which of the following is regulated under the
Clean Air Act (CAA) as a criteria air pollutant?
A) Lead (Pb)
B) Carbon dioxide (CO2)
C) Methane (CH4)
D) Mercury (Hg)
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Criteria pollutants are: CO, O3, NO2, SO2,
PM10/PM2.5, and Pb. CO2 is not a criteria pollutant
(but is regulated under other programs).
5. A manufacturing facility discharges process
wastewater to a municipal sewer system. Which
federal law regulates this discharge?
A) Clean Water Act (CWA) – NPDES permit (direct
discharge)
B) Clean Water Act – Pretreatment Program (indirect
discharge)
C) Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
, D) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Discharges to a municipal sewer are
indirect and regulated under the National
Pretreatment Program (40 CFR 403), not NPDES
(which covers direct discharges to surface water).
6. A facility generates 1,500 kg of hazardous waste
per month. Under RCRA, how is this facility
classified?
A) Conditionally exempt small quantity generator
(CESQG)
B) Small quantity generator (SQG)
C) Large quantity generator (LQG)
D) Not regulated
Correct answer: C
Rationale: LQG = ≥1,000 kg/month. SQG = 100-1,000
kg/month. CESQG = <100 kg/month.
7. An auditor is evaluating a facility's stormwater
discharge. Which of the following is required under
the Clean Water Act for industrial facilities?
A) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit
AUDITOR EXAM OFFERED BY THE NATIONAL
REGISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROFESSIONALS | COMPLETE EXAM Q&A
WITH RATIONALES
1. An environmental auditor is conducting a Phase I
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for a property.
What is the primary purpose of a Phase I ESA?
A) To collect soil and groundwater samples for
laboratory analysis
B) To identify recognized environmental conditions
(RECs) through historical review, site
reconnaissance, and regulatory records
C) To remediate contaminated soil
D) To assess indoor air quality
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A Phase I ESA (ASTM E1527) identifies
RECs. Phase II involves sampling. Remediation is
Phase III.
2. A facility has a RCRA permit for hazardous waste
treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD). During an
audit, the auditor notes that the facility has not
,conducted a required waste minimization
certification. Which of the following is required for a
generator that sends waste off-site for treatment?
A) A signed certification that the generator has a
waste minimization program in place
B) A formal EPA-approved waste minimization plan
C) A zero-discharge permit
D) A toxic reduction audit
Correct answer: A
Rationale: RCRA requires large quantity generators
(LQG) and small quantity generators (SQG) to certify
that they have a waste minimization program.
3. A facility stores hazardous waste in a satellite
accumulation area (SAA). What is the maximum
amount of hazardous waste that can be stored in an
SAA without a permit?
A) 55 gallons of non-acute hazardous waste, or 1
quart of acute hazardous waste
B) 200 gallons
C) 500 gallons
D) 1,000 gallons
Correct answer: A
,Rationale: RCRA allows 55 gallons of non-acute
hazardous waste (or 1 quart of acute) in an SAA
located at or near the point of generation.
4. An auditor is reviewing a facility's air emission
permits. Which of the following is regulated under the
Clean Air Act (CAA) as a criteria air pollutant?
A) Lead (Pb)
B) Carbon dioxide (CO2)
C) Methane (CH4)
D) Mercury (Hg)
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Criteria pollutants are: CO, O3, NO2, SO2,
PM10/PM2.5, and Pb. CO2 is not a criteria pollutant
(but is regulated under other programs).
5. A manufacturing facility discharges process
wastewater to a municipal sewer system. Which
federal law regulates this discharge?
A) Clean Water Act (CWA) – NPDES permit (direct
discharge)
B) Clean Water Act – Pretreatment Program (indirect
discharge)
C) Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
, D) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Discharges to a municipal sewer are
indirect and regulated under the National
Pretreatment Program (40 CFR 403), not NPDES
(which covers direct discharges to surface water).
6. A facility generates 1,500 kg of hazardous waste
per month. Under RCRA, how is this facility
classified?
A) Conditionally exempt small quantity generator
(CESQG)
B) Small quantity generator (SQG)
C) Large quantity generator (LQG)
D) Not regulated
Correct answer: C
Rationale: LQG = ≥1,000 kg/month. SQG = 100-1,000
kg/month. CESQG = <100 kg/month.
7. An auditor is evaluating a facility's stormwater
discharge. Which of the following is required under
the Clean Water Act for industrial facilities?
A) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit
